While many people have heard about or experienced package theft, not everyone has thought deeply about it. What sort of person steals packages, and what drives them to do it? Inspired by Mark Roeber’s porch pirate glitter bomb videos, author and vlogger Hank Green did a deep dive into the psychology behind package theft. He spoke with actual package thieves and interviewed Dr. Robert Tyminski, an expert on theft and loss, and this is some of what he learned.
Package Theft for Thrills and Mystery
Some people stole packages because they wanted to get away with something. Getting away with the theft gave them a sense of victory or a feeling of power. Similarly, some people found package theft attractive because of its inherent unpredictability. Much like opening a loot box in a video game, they didn’t know the value of the item they were stealing, and this sense of mystery added to the appeal.
Package Theft for Addiction
Given this powerful combination of excitement and power, it is perhaps unsurprising that package theft has a compulsive quality for some people. Some thieves spoke of the habit of theft actively being addictive, and others spoke of other ongoing addictions in their lives.
Package Theft for Comradery
Surprisingly, several people reported stealing because it was something that a friend was doing, adding a social component to theft. One thief notably admitted, “All of my friends were doing it, and I didn’t have that many friends.”
Package Theft and Previous Loss
According to Dr. Tyminski, theft is frequently correlated with previous loss on the part of the thieves. While the exact psychology is complex, for some people, stealing can be a way to cope with their experience of loss by passing it on to others. This loss experience may also help explain the sense of entitlement that some thieves express: if so much has gone wrong in their lives, surely they are entitled to something good now, even if they have to steal it.
Package Theft Due to Dehumanization
Many package thieves do not know the names and faces of people they are stealing from, and this helps to give the illusion that it is a victimless crime. They aren’t specifically out to hurt you, and they may not be thinking of you at all.
Hank Green’s research led him to the conclusion that the psychology behind package theft is extremely complicated. On the other hand, protecting your packages can be very simple. Visit our Theft Prevention Guide for effective ideas to fit any budget.
